Why don’t you just get a job?
Posted by: homelessgirl on: September 13, 2008
Now if only I could answer this question with a simple statement, but I cannot because there are very many issues and problems that have prevented me from getting a job.
I mentioned earlier about how I came to England on a student visa, well what happens is after a few years that expires. And because my mother was ill and going through so much of these problems (and I do take responsibility for this because we could have handled it better) the student visa expired before we could get it reissued and I always had this blind faith that everything would be okay.
So for the last few years because of the British government restrictions which I do respect I am not able to get a job.
Another problem is on the day we were evicted as we were in no way prepared and were given half an hour to pack all our most important things and leave.
My mom packed the essential things like passports and drivers license.
The problem is she had packed the right passports except for mine and I don’t know why this happened but it just did. She took my passport from when I was a child and this is no longer valid. Which means I have no formal means of identification, I am just a face on the street and I do not exist.
The second problem as to why I cannot just find a job is because I have no address, I can use the address of friends that I am staying with but in the u.k to apply for anything you need proof of a bill in your name.
So in the simplest way I am not able to get a legitimate job. And I have tried, I have submitted countless applications and even been to interviews but at the last hurdle I always fall because I don’t have the answer to those questions. I simply don’t.
I know this is not exactly the greatest post but I just wanted to mention that because I know that eventually the question will come up and it’s best if I answer it now.
Thanks again.
- Homeless Girl
12 Responses to "Why don’t you just get a job?"
September 15, 2008 at 10:01 pm
I have been there in similar situation when some one stole my identification and that disagreed me from finding a job. I don’t think people realize the obstacles homeless people have to overcome. Before it happen to me I had no idea. You are going through so much now, not working is probably a good idea. A job would help but it would also bring more stress. God’s got you
[...] I thought I would talk about this because I’m sure people will be wondering how I am able to survive or how I could have money. As I said earlier I don’t have a job. [...]
November 26, 2008 at 2:27 am
Hello there,
What about being a nanny in a private home?
What about offering to do housekeeping in private homes?
I know these jobs are not the most desired but in the United States, those who do not have proper documentation to work for a company can be hired by individuals and paid by those individuals in cash.
I don’t know if that is feasible in your country since I am not familiar with dynamics.
There are plenty of people who lose their identification overseas….the U.S. passport, if lost…CAN BE replaced by the person even if they don’t have other identification. I know that you are not in the U.S. however.
You certainly CAN NOT be the only person in that country with no identification and a lost passport…you are not the only person in the country that has happened to so there are options that can be undertaken. I will go online and try and investigate something and come back to the blog.
I hate when people tell me “there are options” but they don’t give me any….
January 22, 2009 at 12:37 am
I just wanted to say that what you are saying is very accurate. Here in the US the economy has taken a serious downturn (the housing market crashed and now tons of people are homeless) and out here on the streets it seems like there are two options for making money: drugs, and prostitution. Even looking at the bigger picture it is all sex (seventeen/people/Disney) and drugs (pharmaceuticals) that is apparently generating the tangible goods the money is backed on, and I personally don’t want anything to do with any of it. I am starting to wonder how much more of it I can take.
I would like to think that getting a job would be as easy as the jerks who yell “get a job” make it out to be, but that is just not the case. If you do not have the tools, resources, residence, cell phone, proper identification, and know all the domestic-human rules then your chances of getting a job other than prostitution and drug dealing is slim. I am afraid that I may have to just resort to stealing from those ass holes that think I am out here because I am addicted to drugs or did something somehow wrong. Then what? Then you go to prison to make the prison state more money, or at least have the guilt on your conscience.
I am not addicted to drugs, it really is not my fault that I don’t have a house (I have basically been homeless since I was 18) and I can assure you that if it was possible I would get a decent job. I have no shoes and no razor blades to cut my hair. I have no clean clothes and nowhere to bathe. I have no cell phone to contact the employer. So what do I do?
This message is to the “survival of the fittest”/”get a job” dude: Do you think your little domesticated ass could handle a mob of hungry desperate homeless people? I didn’t think so, give a dollar next time ass-hole.
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April 14, 2009 at 4:07 am
we’ve let a homeless man into our apartment (against the rules) and someone reported it. i’m going mad trying to find another place for him.
he immediately started cleaning dishes (no one asked him to) and stays out the most of the day getting physically back in shape.
ANYONE who so much as tries to say “get a job” is going to get the nastiest look from me.
i hope you find a solution.
April 24, 2009 at 2:29 pm
Check out: http://homelessness.change.org/blog/view/dont_be_homeless_get_a_job
You’ll find a lot in common…..
September 14, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Thanks for all your responses I was thinking I would get a lot more flak but its been nice. And I hope you know that everyday I wish I had a job.
October 11, 2009 at 6:21 am
I’m sorry you’re stuck like that. It’s hard to get a job even when you have all the proper paperwork! I know things are rough in the UK like they are in the US. Like Homeless Guy said, people are turning to drug dealing and prostitution.
It does seem like you should be able to replace documents, though…at least the passport. I know it costs money, and you need a job to get money. Sigh.
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September 14, 2008 at 12:01 pm
well, you should look at your opportiunities and decide what you can do! and then try to find the way you can do this stuff. I know you are rather strong to manage with that!
good luck!